Clock controlled mechanism



1943. E. O.'THOMPSON CLOCK CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filqd Sept 6, 1941 Patented Aug. 3, 1943 2,325,812 CLOCK CONTROLLED MECHANISM Elmer 0. Thompson,

Philco Radio and Tel Grasmere, N. Y., assignor to evision Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application September 6, 1941, Serial No. 409,886

6Claims.

This invention relates to clock controlled switch mechanisms and more particularly to the class or such devices in which an electrical switch is arranged to be opened or closed at a predetermined timeby a clock mechanism. Devices of this type are particularly applicable to the control of electrical apparatus such asradio receivers, stoves and the like.

In, prior devices of this type, considerable confusion among users of the devices has resulted from difliculties attending the setting of the device for operation at a particular time. Many prior devices'have been so objectionable in this respect that they have been discarded soon after being purchased.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a clock' controlled switch mechanism in which the actuation of a single control manual serves to condition the switch for automatic operation at a desired time, as well as to select the desired time of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clock controlled switch mechanism having a single control manual which is adapted to actu ate a two-position switch from a first position to a second position and, if desired, also to adjust the mechanism so as to vary the time setting, which determines the time when the switch will be moved from the second position to the first position by a clock mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch control mechanism of the above type having a single control manual adapted for both translational and rotary movement to effect, respectively, the presetting oi the device for operation and adjustment of the time setting, thus conditioning the device for automatic actuation of the switch at a preset time.

These and other objects of the invention will be clearly understood from a consideration of the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken vertically through mechanism embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one part of a latch unit employed in the device of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the associated part of the latch.

In the drawing, there is shown a clock mechanism assembled on a frame comprising parallel 3 which are suitably secured relation by studs (not shown). 2 there are mounted a suitable and gears which are cooperato rotate a second hand 6, a

On plates I and electric motor 4 tively arranged annular tapered flange 24.

angular position minute hand 1, and an hour hand 8 of a conventional clock by means of the concentric shafts 9, l0, and II respectively. l2 represents a section through the clock face. Since only the shaft ll carrying the hour hand 8 is of particular importance in connection with this invention it is unnecessary to further describe the clock mechanism, for the same may be of any known type provided that the hour hand shaft is adapt.- ed to function as hereinafter described.

Shaft Ii is journaled in a rotatable sleeve i3 for rotational and longitudinal movement. Sleeve I3 is itself journaled in plate 3 and is clamped thereto by a washer H and a spring l5 positioned on opposite sides of plate 3. Thus shaft H and sleeve l3 are each independently rotatable. On the outer end of shaft ii is the pointer 8 while on the inner end there is secured a gear It. This gear l6 cooperates with gears 5 to rotate shaft ll through one revolution in twelve hours as will be understood.

Also secured to shaft l i adjacent gear I5 is a disc member i I. As best shown in Fig. 2 the disc I! 'carries a pivotally mounted'pawl it! which is loosely secured to disc I i by a shouldered rivet is or the like.. Pawl I8 is thus pivoted about an axis formed by the rivet i9 and is movable toward and away from the shaft H. A light wire spring 20 urges pawl l8 inwardly against a stop 2| carried by disc i1.

Referring again to sleeve i 3, on its outer end there is mounted a pointer 22 which is preferably conspicuously colored to distinguish it from the clock hands. The inner end of sleeve l3 carries a cup member 23 (see Fig. 3) which has an At one place in flange 24 there is provided a notch 25, which is shaped to permit the passage of pawl l8 therethrough as described hereinafter. Also secured to sleeve i3 adjacent the cup member 23 is a large gear 26.

Sleeve l3 and the parts carried thereby are normally stationary but they may be rotated by means of a control manual so as to adjust the of the notch 25 aswill be de scribed. As shown, the control manual comprises a mounting bracket 21 having holes to receive a longitudinally movable rod- 28'. At its inner end rod 28 carries a gear 29, and a knob 30 is secured to its outer end. A spring 3| normally maintains rod 28 in the position shown.

Secured to the plate 3 is an electric switch 32 having an extending control finger 33. Finger 33 is pivotally mounted and is movable between the positions shown to cause actuation of the 33 is spring biased to rotate clockwise as shown in the drawing, and such rotation is opposed by the engagement of finger 33 with the outer edge of disc II as shown. Since the switch .32 is a simple two-position switch which is biased to one position, it is unnecessary to illustrate in detail. The shaft II is longitudinally movable along its axis by means of a bell crank linkage. Plate 2 has a laterally extending mounting lug 34 for a bell crank 35, one end 33 of which is adjacent gear l3 as shown. Crank 35 has a tail portion 31 which underlies gear 29 and shaft 28 asshown.

To operate the device, the 30 must be depressed thereby moving the shaft 28 longitudinally until the gears 28and28 become engaged. This movement will also rotate crank 35 so that the end 36 thereof, acting through gear IE, will cause the shaft i l to slide'toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1. Disc Ii will move with shaft by the dotted lines, causing eitherthe opening or closing of switch 32 as desired. when the disc control manual knob I l i and accordingly the pawl l8 will be drawn over the flange 24 so as to seat on the flat side therecircuit; timing the operation of heating and cooking devices; controlling the operation of-machlnery; etc. I

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, it will be apparent that various modifications and further embodiments are possible.

Iclaim:

1. In a control device, a switch controlled comprising a member movable between two positions and blamed to one of said positions. a timing mechanism,- a controlling member rotated by said timing mechanism and slidably movable to control said switch member, manual means for sliding said controlling member in a direction to move said switch, member to its other position,- latching means for retaining said controlling member in its effective position until it has reached a certain point in its rotary cycle, and.

adjustable means for varying the point at which said latch means releases said controlling member, to thereby eflect'operation of said switch member at a selected time.

IT has been rotated by the continuously operating clock mechanism to a position in which pawl I8 is aligned with notch 25, disc I! is released since the pawl may pass through the notch. The biasing spring of switch 32 then returns the switch to the full line position, moving thedisc I1.- and shaft H to the position shown. Thus the depression of knobv 38 conditions the device for automatic operation which takes place at a time determined by the angular position of notch 25.

To adjust the position of notch 25, it is only necessary to rotate the knob 33 when it is depressed. As mentioned above, when knob 38 is depressed the gears 26, 28 become engaged.

', Hence when knob 33 is rotated while gear 29 is held in engagement with gear 23, the latter is rotated moving sleeve 13, pointer 22, cup 23 and notch 25 to any desired setting. The pointer 22 indicates the time corresponding to the setting of notch 25. For example, if it is desired'to set the device for operation at twelve oclock, the control knob is-rotated until pointer 22 is aligned with the twelve oclock hour mark on the .clock face, and the notch 25 will then be so located that the pawl I8 will align itself with the notch when the hour hand 8 reaches the twelve oclock mark.

The mechanism may be utilized to close or open the switch will be closed with finger 33 in the full line position and open with finger 33 in the dotted line position. Knob 30 may be depressed, thusmoving the disc H to open switch 32, and the knob may be rotated to set the pointer 22 and notch 25 in a position corresponding to th time at which switch 32 is to be closed. By this simple manipulation of a single control manual the device will be preset to actuate switch 32 at the desired time, after which switch 32 will remain closed until knob 30 is again depressed.

.Other examples of uses to which the device may be put are: visual or audible signaling, in which case the switch 32 may control a signal 2. In a control device, a switch to be controlled comprising a member movable between two positions and biased to one of said positions, a timing mechanism, a controlling member rotated by said timing mechanism and slidably mov able to control said switch member, manual means for sliding said controlling member in a direction to move said switch member to its other position,

latching means for retaining said controlling 1 member in' its effective position until it has reached a certain point in its rotary cycle, and, means operable by said manual means to vary the point at which said latch meansreleases said controlling member, to thereby eilect operation of said switch member at a selected time.

3. In a control device, a switch to be controlled comprising a member movable between two positions and biased to one of said positions,

a timing mechanism, a shaft rotated by said timing mechanism and slidably movable relative to said switch member, a controlling member carried by said shaft, manual means translationally movable for sliding said shaft and the controlling member carried thereby in a direction to cause said controlling member to move said switch member to its other position, latching means operable to retain the controlling member in the position to which actuated by said manual means until said member has reached a predetermined point in its rotary cycle, and means operable by said manual means to vary the point at which said latching means releases said controlling member thereby effecting operation of said switch member at a selected time.

4. In a control device, a switch to be controlled comprising a member movable between two positions and biased to one of said positions, a timing mechanism, a shaft rotated by said timing mechanism and slidably movable relative to said switch member, a controlling member carried by said shaft, manual means translationally movable for sliding said shaft and the controlling member carried thereby in a direction to cause said controlling member to move said switch member to its other position, a sleeve journalled on said shaft for relative rotation and-sliding movement with respect to the shaft, latching means cooperating between the sleeve and controlling member for retaining the latter in the position to which actuated by said manual means until said member has reached a predetermined point in its rotary cycle, and means providing a mechanical connection between said sleeve and manual means upon translatory movement only of the latter, said manual means being operable through said mechanical connection to rotate said sleeve and vary the point at which said latching means releases the controlling member thereby effecting operation of said switch member at a selected time.

5. In a control device, a switch to be controlled comprising a member movable between two positions and biased to one of said positions, a timing mechanism, a shaft rotated by said timing mechanism and slidably movable relative to said switch member, a controlling member carried by said shaft, manual means translationally movable for sliding said shaft and the controlling member carried thereby in a direction to cause said controlling member to move said switch member to its other position, a sleeve journallerl on said shaft for relative rotation and slidin movement with respect to the shaft, latching means cooperating between the sleeve and controlling member for retaining the latter in the position to which actuated by said manual means until said member has reached a predetermined point in its rotary cycle, a gear carried by said sleeve, a second gear carried by said manual means and arranged to mesh with the first gear upon translatory movement of said manual means to slide said controlling member, said manual means being rotatabl to rotate said gears and the sleeve to vary the point at which said latching means releases the controlling member thereby effecting operation of said switch member at a selected time.

6. In a control device, a switch to b controlled comprising a member movable between two positions and biased to one of said positions, a timing mechanism, a shaft rotated by said timing mechanism and slidably movable relative to said switch member, a controlling member carried by said shaft, manual meanstranslationally movable for sliding said shaft and the controlling member carried thereby in a direction to cause said controlling member to move said switch member to its other position, a sleev journalled on said shaft for relative rotation and sliding movement with respect to the shaft and having a flange portion adjacent said controlling member, latching means carried by the controlling member and cooperable with said sleeve flange to retain said controlling member in the position to which actuated by said manual means until said member has reached a predetermined point in its rotary cycle, a gear carried by said sleeve, a second gear carried by said manual means and arranged to mesh with the first gear upon translatory movement of said manual means to slide said con trolling member, said manual means being rotatable to rotate said gears and the sleeve to vary the point at which said latching means releases the controlling member thereby effecting operation of said switch member at a selected time.

ELMER O. THOIVIPSON. 

